Septic Systems (Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems)

First District Health Unit (FDHU) requires a permit for the installation and/or repair of any part of an onsite sewage treatment systems in Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, McLean, Renville, Sheridan, and Ward Counties. A permit must be received prior to any work done on the system. All work must be completed by a FDHU licensed sewer contractor or certified property owner.
(FDHU Sewer Regulations)

The Septic System Permitting Process

When no existing community sewer system is available, you must obtain a septic system permit from FDHU when constructing a building that will produce sewage or wastewater.

To apply for a septic system permit fill out the Septic System Permit Application. Provide as much detail as possible when filling out the application and make sure your site has been flagged for utilities as well as marked for proposed building corners, stub out location, well site(s), and property lines or corners BEFORE submitting your application. Failure to do any of these items will delay the permitting process. Completed applications and application fees can be hand delivered to our office or submitted by:

Mail to:

First District Health Unit

Environmental Health Division

P.O. Box 1268

Minot, ND 58702-1268

Email to: jwindsor@nd.gov

To make a credit card payment over the phone call 701-837-5121.

After your application is processed an Environmental Health Practitioner will come to your property to take soil samples and determine a location and design for your septic system. All septic system designs need to be done or approved by FDHU.

Once you receive your permit and design, you can choose to install your own system or hire a sewer contractor licensed by FDHU. For a list of licensed sewer contractors see the link at the bottom of the page. To see licensure requirements for installing a septic system see section ‘Installer Requirements’.

When installing the system either you or your contractor must contact FDHU prior to backfilling to schedule a final inspection. Without final inspection and approval, your sewer will be considered illegal. After the system is installed, the installer will need to submit an As Built Form to FDHU. This form should detail the location and size of the system installed. The form was mailed with the permit and can also be found here.

Installer Requirements

Septic system installers must either be a FDHU licensed sewer contractor or certified property owner.

Sewer Contractors: See the ‘Sewer Contractors’ section.

Property Owners: Homeowners installing their own septic system.

All homeowners installing or repairing their own septic system must obtain a permit as specified above under "The Septic System Permitting Process".

Prior to installing or repairing their own septic system, a homeowner must be certified through the NOWRA online education system. To access the online training course click here.

Once the course is completed, the course completion certificates must be submitted to the FDHU prior to installing the septic system.

Sewer Contractors

To receive a Sewer Contractor License the following must be completed:

Complete the Sewer Contractor License Application & submit to FDHU with the license fee.
Take and pass FDHU’s Sewer Contractor Exam. For exam information see the ‘Sewer Contractor Exam’ section.

To keep your licensure current the following must be completed:

Pay annual renewal fee when renewal notice is mailed out.
Obtain suitable Continuing Education credits at least every 2 years. If you need continuing education credits one of the following will satisfy the requirement:
- Attend a sewer training in another jurisdiction and submit documentation of attendance to FDHU.
- Attend a training session through the University of Minnesota Extension Onsite Sewage Treatment Program and submit documentation of attendance to FDHU. Information on their workshops can be found at http://www.septic.umn.edu/workshop-enrollment
- Take and pass FDHU’s Sewer Contractor Exam. For exam information see the ‘Sewer Contractor Exam’ section.

All sewer contractors must submit an As Built Form for each system they install. The form should be included with the contractor copy of the permit.

Sewer Contractor Exam

There is no cost to take the Sewer Contractor Exam and you may come into our office anytime Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to take the exam. The material covered on the exam is found in six PowerPoint presentations and FDHU’s Sewer Regulations. All of the presentations and the regulations are in PDF format. Bear in mind that the PowerPoint presentations were those presented during our 2014 Installer Training Conference. The conference lasted two full days and covered all six presentations. While reviewing all the material, feel free to take notes. All handwritten notes may be used on the exam. The exam consists of 43 multiple choice questions. You may take as much time as you need to complete the exam. Typically we suggest having 2 hours available to take the exam; however, the length of time can vary greatly depending on experience level and familiarity with the material.

Septic System Owners

For information on understanding how your septic system works and on proper system, see the FDHU’s Homeowner’s Guide. A copy of this guide is included with every permit. FDHU recommends that every septic system owner learn about their system and proper maintenance procedures in order to keep the system functioning properly.

Septic Tank Pumpers

All businesses and people engaged in the business of removing and disposing of the solid and liquid contents of septic systems must be licensed by the North Dakota Department of Health. Additional septic pumper information and the list of North Dakota permitted septic pumpers is found here.

Mortgage Inspection Services

FDHU no longer offers inspection of septic systems to meet mortgage requirements. Many mortgage companies require an inspection to approve loans on homes that are serviced by septic systems. A list of septic system inspectors can be found here.

Components of a Septic System

For information on different septic system components, check out the following documents:

Septic Tanks

Effluent Screens

Pump Tanks and Grinder Pumps

Trench Drainfields

Drop Boxes and Distribution Boxes

Bed Drainfields

Mound Drainfields

Inspection Ports and Cleanouts

For additional questions contact:

Jake Windsor, REHS/RS